IC President, Rhea Weaver, rweaver@consolidated.net - Helen Keller said, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart."

Epsilon Sigma Alpha is a most beautiful thing. As I think of the upcoming holiday season, I am thankful for the many gifts I have received. One of the best things to ever happen to me was being asked to join ESA. It has been a lasting gift that has given me so many rewards day after day and year after year. Do you feel the same way? If so, I ask each of you to give a heartfelt gift this holiday season - ask someone to join ESA.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

IC Second Vice President, Jamie Atchison, jamiea2@mindspring.com - Countdown to International Council Convention 2008. Make your plans today to come in early or stay late in Chattanooga, TN for the 61st Epsilon Sigma Alpha IC Convention. Chattanooga has something to offer for everyone!

Chattanooga has a diverse assortment of shopping options for the bargain hunter as well as the fashionista. Hamilton Place, Tennessee's largest mall, has over 200 stores and restaurants. If a mall isn't your style, check out the eclectic variety of boutiques and restaurants on Frazier Avenue in Chattanooga's trendy Northshore area. Get treats for the dog, toys for the kids, or browse antiques. Also, head over to the rejuvenated Southside of Chattanooga, where you'll find galleries, quaint shops, and cafés.

The IC Convention registration form and hotel information are now available on the IC Council website (www.esaintl.com > Intl Council > 2008 Convention). Mail the registration form and make hotel reservations today!

IC Easter Seals Chair, Pat Stupur, patstupurathome@comcast.net - Easter Seals has many opportunities and ideas available for raising money.

The Cartridges for Kids is an easy and ongoing project. For more details, visit www.esaintl.com > Intl Council > Easter Seals. I will communicate with each state Easter Seals Chair with the number of cartridges received.

The Easter Seals Lily Project is new. If you did not receive your lily packet at the International Council Convention workshop, contact Joan Fishman at 1-312-551-7136 or Jfishman@easterseals.com.

We are also selling fleece blankets for $15 plus shipping. There is an order form at www.esaintl.com > Intl Council > Easter Seals. These blankets make great gifts or can be purchased by chapters to be sold as a fund-raiser.

Please contact me or your state Easter Seals Chair with any questions.

 

Executive Director, B.J. Clark , bjclark@esaintl.com - Thanks to each of you for making this year such a wonderful time for Epsilon Sigma Alpha. With all of your good work to assist others, you should feel a great sense of achievement. Again, thank you!

Holidays are a time we see people we haven't seen all year. As you share your news of the year, you have a wonderful opportunity to share your ESA news as well. Let others know the good you're doing and the satisfaction you receive through your efforts to help others. Share about the wonderful network of friends you have established through your membership. Along the way, you might find new members and friends to assist you in working to make the new year sunny and bright. You'll also be sharing a wonderful gift that has the potential to last a lifetime.

 

 

 

IC Membership-Junior Chair, Judi York - judikay@cox.net - Membership Tag � You're IT! The state Membership Chairs were asked to imagine the possibilities... and share membership ideas. To do this a computer tag called Membership Tag-You're IT was started.

We have received many great ideas from state membership directors. We have had ideas like an "Extreme Membership Makeover" and "Top Ten Recruitment Ideas" (similar to Letterman's Top Ten). Some of these will be posted on the web site at www.esaintl.com > Intl Council. We want to keep this going. If you have any ideas to share please send them to us. If we all work together to grow Epsilon Sigma Alpha's membership, just imagine all the possibilities and all that we can accomplish.

 

IC Circle Of Life-Junior Coordinator, Jodi Lang, jodi@soundinternet.com -  Raise Funds, Raise Awareness, Motivate, and Educate. Do you recognize these words? Do you feel these words? These words summarize what Epsilon Sigma Alpha does for the community and for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. You are part of a team that has a variety of talents and when we work together, magic happens. The fund-raising crew in your state should work closely with the publicity and communications group to better publicize and raise awareness of your events. State and chapter Circle of Life Coordinators should work together to coordinate events and share ideas. We really do make a difference when we work together� taking our events to the next level. Continue to work hard, be creative, and make those words come alive!

There are many St. Jude events going on all over the country, so please make sure that you are part of the action. And it is never too early to start planning your spring season of fund-raising events and to participate in the 2008 International Council Challenge in Chattanooga, TN. Get ready to kick up your heels and Walk the Line!

Team ESA rocks Memphis, TN with 125 members raising more than $50,000 for the kids of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital! Team ESA met the goal and placed second in overall team contributions. Race officials also commented that Epsilon Sigma Alpha had the largest cheering squad they had ever seen. There were many Elvis sightings, and he was at the finish line to congratulate participants and pose for pictures. Congratulations to all of Team ESA! If you weren't able to participate this year, mark your calendars now for next year. You won't want to miss it!

 

State Presidents-Senior Chair, Verneene Forssberg, vernf66@sbcglobal.net - Why do people follow leadership? It can be the basic right of the office, the leader's contagious attitude and skills, or a combination of the two.

If you don't take your leadership skills beyond the right of holding office, people will limit how much they follow your lead. They could continue to follow because they give you permission to lead and want to follow your brand of leadership.

That is when momentum kicks in. Others follow because of the results you are getting. People begin to like the leadership for what it is achieving for the organization� and what it is doing for them personally. A leader needs to strive for this level of achievement.

Ideally, a leader earns respect. People follow this person because of who they are and what they represent, which most likely took years of growing to achieve. These are the leaders that are larger than life.

What kind of leader are you?